***
I don’t know why I had been so cocky in the bookstore. I never thought I would be saying those things to her; not even in my wildest dreams. Maybe that was why I had said it; my brain was convinced I was dreaming. You really can’t fuck up in a dream, so what’s to lose, right? Is what was running through my head as I waited for the girls to change from their school uniforms into normal clothes.
I leaned against the wall and let my head fall back, letting out a deep breath.
“Sorry I didn’t bring you anything dude, Nikki didn’t mention you would be coming.” Shawn said, apologetically.
I looked at him with a half-smile. He was much taller than me; much like Connor, somewhere in the 6’ to 6’4” range. Unlike Connor, Shawn wasn’t wiry like an athlete; he also wasn’t a linebacker either. His hair was roughly the same shade of blonde as Nikki’s but sans the blue and about the same length as mine.
“Don’t worry about it; I don’t think she even knew I was coming.”
Shawn cocked his head to one side and smiled a crooked smile at me. “You’re playing it cool but you’re scared shitless aren’t you?”
“Is it that obvious?” I asked, with a self-deprecating smile.
“Naw, if you weren’t scared I’d know you were a conceited wank.”
“What?” I said, nearly choking.
“The biggest pricks act all smooth in front of girls because they think they’re the shit. You, on the other hand…”
“Ah. But you seem calm, what’s that say about you?”
“Me? Well I’ve known those two my whole life. They know about all the stupid shit I’ve ever done. Hard to be nervous anymore at that point.” Shawn answered, looking into the distance.
“Yeah, you’re probably right.”
“Look, don’t worry about it so much. Just relax.” He advised, looking back at me with a smile.
“Easy for you to say.” I said, running my hand through my hair.
“Just think about it like hanging out with friends after school, nothing serious.”
“I really don’t hang out with my friends that much after school. Honestly, most of the time I’m alone.”
“Dude seriously? That’s really sad.”
“Yeah I know.” I said, leaning my head back against the wall again. I don’t know why I was being so honest about how truly lame I was; it wasn’t going to help me.
“But I really can’t say I’m better, I mostly hang out with those two girls, can’t remember ever having many guy friends.” Shawn admitted, folding his arms across his chest.
“I’d be your friend.” I said, without giving it much thought. Wow did I really just say that out loud? God he probably thinks I’m even lamer now than before.
“Really? Coolness, friendship accepted.” Shawn said, with a huge grin.
Wait, what?
But I really didn’t have time to think about it long because something hit me in the chest. I looked down at the floor in front of me at some clothes that had apparently been thrown at me.
“Nualla, you’re supposed to say ‘think fast’ before you do that, not just throw things at people.” Shawn said as he pushed away from the wall.
“What are these?” I asked, bending down to pick up the clothing.
“They’re clothes silly. You didn’t think we would really make you go to Vegas in your Bayside Academy uniform did you?”
Actually that’s completely what I had thought, but thanks for having a higher opinion of me than I do.
I looked at the clothes; they were super stylish designer casual and probably cost a small fortune since we were at an airport. “Thanks. How much were they, I’ll pay you back.” I said, looking up.
“Don’t worry about it,” Nualla said with a broad smile, “Think of it as payment for letting me kidnap you this weekend.”
“Okay, then how much were the tickets?”
“Don’t kidnappers usually pay for the transportation of the kidnapped?” Nualla asked as she leaned in closer; dangerously closer.
“Um… yeah, but really I can’t just—”
“Patrick, you’re never going to win this so just give up.” Shawn said, nudging me.
“Okay,” I said uneasily.
“Now go change, our plane’s gonna start boarding soon.” Nualla said, with a smile as she pushed me toward the restrooms.
I took a few steps then stopped. Wait, weekend?
End of this sample
If you enjoyed this small sampling of Daemons in the Mist you can pick up a copy in the Kindle Store.